Display device

ABSTRACT

A display device includes a pixel unit including first pixels in a first pixel area, second pixels in a second pixel area, and third pixels in a third pixel area; a first scan driver including first multiplexers configured to operate in response to a first mode and a second mode different from the first mode, and to supply first scan signals to first scan lines connected to the first pixels; a second scan driver configured to supply second scan signals to second scan lines connected to the second pixels; and a third scan driver including second multiplexers configured to operate in response to the first mode and the second mode, and to supply third scan signals to third scan lines connected to the third pixels.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/804,952, filed Nov. 6, 2017, which claims priority to and the benefitof Korean Patent Application No. 10-2016-0166201, filed Dec. 7, 2016,the entire content of both of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND 1. Field

Aspects of some example embodiments of the present invention relate to adisplay device.

2. Description of the Related Art

Recently, various types of electronic devices which can be worn on thebody have been developed. These devices are generally called wearableelectronic devices.

Head mounted display (hereinafter “HMD”) devices, which are one exampleof such wearable electronic devices, have been used for various purposeslike watching movies because they provide a deep sense of immersion bydisplaying vivid images.

The above information discussed in this Background section is only forenhancement of understanding of the background of the describedtechnology and therefore it may contain information that does notconstitute prior art that is already known to a person having ordinaryskill in the art.

SUMMARY

Aspects of some example embodiments of the present invention relate to adisplay device having improved display quality.

According to some example embodiments of the present invention, adisplay device may include: a pixel unit including first pixels in afirst pixel area, second pixels in a second pixel area, and third pixelsin a third pixel area; a first scan driver including first multiplexersconfigured to operate in response to a first mode and a second modedifferent from the first mode, and to supply first scan signals to firstscan lines connected to the first pixels; a second scan driverconfigured to supply second scan signals to second scan lines connectedto the second pixels; and a third scan driver including secondmultiplexers configured to operate in response to the first mode and thesecond mode, and to supply third scan signals to third scan linesconnected to the third pixels.

According to some example embodiments, the first scan driver furthercomprises first scan stages connected to the first scan lines,respectively, and the first scan stages receive output signals from thefirst multiplexers.

According to some example embodiments, the third scan driver furthercomprises third scan stages connected to the third scan lines,respectively, and the third scan stages receive output signals from thesecond multiplexers.

According to some example embodiments, each of the first multiplexersincludes a first switch configured to be turned on in the first mode anda second switch configured to be turned on in the second mode.

According to some example embodiments, the second switch of a 1st firstmultiplexer of the first multiplexers is configured to receive a firststart signal and second switches of remaining first multiplexers areconfigured to receive output signals from first scan stages located in aprevious horizontal line.

According to some example embodiments, the first switch of a last firstmultiplexer is configured to receive a second start signal and firstswitches of remaining first multiplexer are configured to receive afirst sub-start signal.

According to some example embodiments, the first sub-start signal issimultaneously supplied to the first scan stages in the first mode.

According to some example embodiments, the first scan signals aresimultaneously supplied to first scan lines located in odd horizontallines, and the first scan signals are simultaneously supplied to firstscan lines located in even horizontal lines.

According to some example embodiments, each of the second multiplexersincludes a first switch configured to be turned on in the first mode anda second switch configured to be turned on in the second mode.

According to some example embodiments, first switches of the secondmultiplexers are configured to receive a second sub-start signal, andsecond switches of the second multiplexers are configured to receiveoutput signals from scan stages located in the previous horizontal line.

According to some example embodiments, the second sub-start signal issimultaneously supplied to the third scan stages in the first mode.

According to some example embodiments, the third scan signals aresimultaneously supplied to the scan lines located in the odd horizontallines, and third scan signals are simultaneously supplied to third scanlines located in the even horizontal lines.

According to some example embodiments, the first scan driver, the secondscan driver and the third scan driver are configured to sequentiallyoutput the first scan signals, the second scan signals and the thirdscan signals, respectively, during a single frame period in the secondmode.

According to some example embodiments, the first scan driver, the secondscan driver and the third scan driver are configured to sequentiallyoutput the second scan signals after outputting the first scan signalsand the third scan signals in the first mode.

According to some example embodiments, in the first mode, a pulse widthof each of the first scan signals and the third scan signals is greaterthan a pulse width of each of the second scan signals.

According to some example embodiments, the first pixel area is adjacentto a first horizontal line of the second pixel area and the third pixelarea is adjacent to a last horizontal line of the second pixel area.

According to some example embodiments, the display device furtherincludes a data driver configured to supply data signals to data linesconnected to the first pixels, the second pixels and the third pixels.

According to some example embodiments, the display device furtherincludes a memory configured to store a first dummy data signalcorresponding to an image displayed on the first horizontal line of thesecond pixel area and a second dummy data signal corresponding to animage displayed on the last horizontal line of the second pixel areaduring a previous frame in the first mode.

According to some example embodiments, the data driver is configured tosupply the first dummy data signal to the first pixels and the seconddummy data signal to the third pixels in the first mode.

According to some example embodiments, the display device furtherincludes: a first emission driver including third multiplexersconfigured to operate in response to the first mode and the second mode,and to supply first emission signals to first emission lines connectedto the first pixels; a second emission driver configured to supplysecond emission signals to second emission lines connected to the secondpixels; and a third emission driver including fourth multiplexersconfigured to operate in response to the first mode and the second mode,and to supply third emission signals to third emission lines connectedto the third pixels.

According to some example embodiments, the first emission driver furthercomprises first emission stages connected to the first emission lines,respectively, and the first emission stages are configured to receiveoutput signals from the third multiplexers.

According to some example embodiments, the third emission driver furthercomprises third emission stages connected to the third emission lines,respectively, and the third emission stages are configured to receiveoutput signals from the fourth multiplexers.

According to some example embodiments, each of the third multiplexersand the fourth multiplexers includes a first switch configured to beturned on in the first mode and a second switch configured to be turnedon in the second mode.

According to some example embodiments, the second switch of a 1st thirdmultiplexer of the third multiplexers is configured to receive a thirdstart signal, and second switches of remaining third multiplexers areconfigured to receive output signals from first emission stages locatedin the previous horizontal line.

According to some example embodiments, the first switch of a last thirdmultiplexer is configured to receive a fourth start signal and firstswitches of remaining third multiplexers are configured to receive athird sub-start signal.

According to some example embodiments, the third sub-start signal issimultaneously supplied to the first emission stages in the first mode.

According to some example embodiments, in the first mode, the firstemission signals are simultaneously supplied to first emission lineslocated in odd horizontal lines, and the first emission signals aresimultaneously supplied to first emission lines located in evenhorizontal lines.

According to some example embodiments, first switches of the fourthmultiplexers are configured to receive a fourth sub-start signal, andsecond switches of the fourth multiplexers are configured to receiveoutput signals from emission stages located in the previous horizontalline.

According to some example embodiments, the fourth sub-start signal issimultaneously supplied to the third emission stages in the first mode.

According to some example embodiments, in the first mode, the thirdemission signals are simultaneously supplied to third emission lineslocated in odd horizontal lines, and the third emission signals aresimultaneously supplied to third emission lines located in evenhorizontal lines.

According to some example embodiments, the first emission driver, thesecond emission driver and the third scan driver are configured to causethe first pixel area, the second pixel area and the third pixel area tosequentially emit light during a single frame period in the second mode.

According to some example embodiments, the first emission driver, thesecond emission driver and the third scan driver are configured to causethe second pixel area to emit light after the first pixel area and thethird pixel area emit light during a single frame period in the firstmode.

According to some example embodiments, in the first mode, during acurrent frame, each horizontal line of the first pixel area isconfigured to display the same image as an image displayed on a firsthorizontal line of the second pixel area during a previous frame.

According to some example embodiments, in the first mode, during thecurrent frame, each horizontal line of the third pixel area isconfigured to display the same image as an image displayed on a lasthorizontal line of the second pixel area during the previous frame.

According to some example embodiments, the display device is set to thefirst mode when the display device is mounted on a wearable device, andotherwise, set to the second mode.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Aspects of some example embodiments are described hereinafter withreference to the accompanying drawings. The present system and method,however, should not be construed as being limited to these embodiments.Rather, these embodiments are provided to facilitate the understandingby those of ordinary skill in the art.

In the drawings, the dimensions of the figures may be exaggerated forclarity. It is understood that when an element is referred to as being“between” two elements, it may be the only element between the twoelements, or one or more intervening elements may also be present,unless otherwise indicated. Like reference numerals refer to likeelements throughout.

FIGS. 1A to 1C are diagrams illustrating an example embodiment of adisplay device connected to a wearable device, according to some exampleembodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a substrate provided in the displaydevice shown in FIG. 1, according to some example embodiments of thepresent invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example configuration of a displaydevice, according to some example embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a pixel shown in FIG.3, according to some example embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of scan drivers shownin FIG. 3, according to some example embodiments of the presentinvention.

FIG. 6 is a waveform view illustrating a method of driving a scan stageshown in FIG. 5 when a display device is driven in a second mode,according to some example embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an image displaying method, accordingto some example embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a waveform view illustrating a method of driving a scan stageshown in FIG. 5 when a display device is driven in a first mode,according to some example embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a detailed view illustrating the configuration of a displaydevice, according to some example embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a first pixel shownin FIG. 9, according to some example embodiments of the presentinvention.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a method of driving apixel shown in FIG. 10, according to some example embodiments of thepresent invention.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of emission driversshown in

FIG. 9, according to some example embodiments of the present invention.

FIGS. 13 and 14 are waveform views illustrating emission drivers shownin

FIGS. 9 and 11 when a display device is driven in a first mode,according to some example embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a display device, according to someexample embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While some aspects of some example embodiments of the present inventionare described with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to beunderstood that various changes and modifications may be made in theinvention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. Further,it should be understood that the invention is not limited to thespecific embodiments thereof, and various changes, equivalences, andsubstitutions may be made without departing from the scope and spirit ofthe invention.

Like reference numerals designate like elements throughout the drawings.In the drawings, the dimension of elements may be exaggerated for theclarity of this invention. Although terms “first”, “second”, etc. areused herein to describe various elements, these elements should not belimited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish oneelement from another element. For example, the first element may bedesignated as the second element without departing from the scope of theinvention. Similarly, the second element may be designated as the firstelement. Further, the singular forms “a” and “an” include pluralreferents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

Hereinafter, a display device according to some example embodiments willbe described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIGS. 1A to 1C are diagrams illustrating a display device 10 mounted ona wearable device 30, according to some example embodiments of thepresent invention.

Referring to FIGS. 1A to 1C, the wearable device 30 may be a headmounted type device and include a frame 31. A band 32 may be connectedto the frame 31. A user may wear the frame 31 using the band 32. Thedisplay device 10 may be detachable from the frame 31. The displaydevice 10 mounted on the wearable device 30 may be, for example, asmartphone. However, the display device 10 according to exampleembodiments of the present invention is not limited to smartphones. Forexample, the display device 10 may include any suitable electronicequipment with a display unit, such as table PCs, electronic bookreaders, computers, workstations, personal digital assistants (PDAs),portable multimedia players (PMPs), cameras, and the like.

According to some example embodiments, when the display device 10 ismounted on the frame 31, a connection portion 41 of the display device10 and a connection portion 33 of the frame 31 may be electricallyconnected to each other, so that communications may be establishedbetween the frame 31 and the display device 10.

To control the display device 10 mounted on the frame 31, the wearabledevice 30 may include at least one of a touch sensor, a button, and awheel key.

When the display device 10 is mounted on the wearable device 30, thedisplay device 10 may operate as a head mounted display (HMD) device. Inother words, when the display device 10 is mounted on the wearabledevice 30, the display device 10 may be driven in a first mode (e.g., avirtual reality (VR) or augmented reality (AR) Mode). When the displaydevice 10 is separated from the wearable device 30, the display device10 may be driven in a second mode (e.g., a Normal Mode).

When the display device 10 is mounted on the wearable device 30, adriving mode of the display device 10 may be switched to the first modeautomatically, or in response to a user input or setting adjustment. Inaddition, when the display device 10 is separated from the wearabledevice 30, the driving mode of the display device 10 may be switched tothe second mode automatically or in response to a user input or settingadjustment.

The wearable device 30 may include lenses 20 corresponding to user'seyes. The lenses 20 may be set to fisheye lenses or wide-angle lenses soas to extend the user's field of view (FOV).

When the display device 10 is secured to the frame 31, the user may seea display unit of the display device 10 through the lenses 20.Therefore, the user may perceive that they are viewing an image on alarge-size screen at a predetermined distance.

Referring to FIG. 1C, when the wearable device 30 is mounted on thedisplay device 10, a portion of a display area may be blocked by theframe 31 so as to provide the user with more vivid images.

A portion of the entire display area of the display device 10 that theuser views corresponding to the first mode is referred to as a viewingarea VDA. The other portion of the entire display area of the displaydevice 10 driven in the first mode that the user cannot view is referredto as a non-viewing area VNDA.

A central part of the display area corresponding to the positions of thelenses 20 may be the viewing area VDA, and the remaining part may be thenon-viewing area VNDA.

When the display device 10 is driven in the first mode, an effectiveimage may be displayed on the viewing area VDA. The image may not bedisplayed on the non-viewing area VNDA, or a dummy image may bedisplayed thereon.

On the other hand, when the display device 10 is driven in the secondmode, the user may view the entire display area. Thus, an effectiveimage may be displayed over the entire display area.

According to an embodiment, when the display device 10 is used inconjunction with the wearable device 30, various forms of images may bedisplayed. However, as described above, because the effective image isdisplayed on different areas depending on the first mode and the secondmode, the boundaries between the viewing area and the non-viewing areamay be visible to the user when the driving mode of the display device10 is switched.

Therefore, when an image is displayed on the display device 10 mountedon the wearable device 30, the boundaries between the viewing area andthe non-viewing area may not be visible or perceptible to the user.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a pixel area of the display device 10according to some example embodiments.

Referring to FIG. 2, according to some example embodiments, a substrate110 may include pixel areas AA1, AA2, and AA3. The substrate may furtherinclude a peripheral area NA outside the footprint of or surrounding thepixel areas AA1, AA2, and AA3.

A plurality of pixels PXL1, PXL2, and PXL3 may be located in the pixelareas AA1, AA2, and AA3, respectively. A predetermine image may bedisplayed on the pixel areas AA1, AA2, and AA3. Thus, the pixel areasAA1, AA2, and AA3 may be collectively referred to as a display area.

Components (e.g., wires) for driving the pixels PXL1, PXL2, and PXL3 maybe located in the peripheral area NA. Because the pixels PXL1, PXL2, andPXL3 are not present in the peripheral area NA, the peripheral area NAmay be referred to as a non-display area.

For example, the peripheral area NA may be provided outside the pixelareas AA1, AA2, and AA3 and surround at least portions of the pixelareas AA1, AA2, and AA3.

The pixel areas AA1, AA2, and AA3 may include a first pixel area AA1, asecond pixel area AA2 located at one side of the first pixel area AA1,and a third pixel area AA3 located at one side of the second pixel areaAA2.

The second pixel area AA2 may be located between the first pixel areaAA1 and the third pixel area AA3 and have a greater area than the firstpixel area AA1 and the third pixel area AA3.

The second pixel area AA2 may correspond to the viewing area VDA shownin FIG. 1C and the first and third pixel areas AA1 and AA3 maycorrespond to the non-viewing area VNDA.

In other words, when the display device 10 is driven in the first mode,the user may be unable to see an image displayed on the first pixel areaAA1 and the third pixel area AA3 and may only be able to see an imagedisplayed on the second pixel area AA2.

On the other hand, when the display device 10 is driven in the secondmode, the user may see an image displayed on the first, second, andthird pixel areas AA1, AA2, and AA3.

The pixels PXL1, PXL2, and PXL3 may include first pixels PXL1, secondpixels PXL2 and third pixels PXL3.

For example, the first pixels PXL1 may be located in the first pixelarea AA1, the second pixels PXL2 may be located in the second pixel areaAA2, and the third pixels PXL3 may be located in the third pixel areaAA3.

Each of the pixels PXL1, PXL2, and PXL3 may emit light at a brightness(e.g., a predetermined brightness) in response to control of eachdriver. Each of the pixels PXL1, PXL2, and PXL3 may include an emissiondevice (e.g., an organic light emitting diode).

FIG. 2 illustrates that the first pixel area AA1, the second pixel areaAA2 and the third pixel area AA3 have the same width. However, exampleembodiments of the present invention are not limited thereto. Forexample, according to some example embodiments, the first pixel area AA1and/or the third pixel area AA3 may gradually decrease in width awayfrom the second pixel area AA2. Additionally, the first pixel area

AA1 and/or the third pixel area AA3 may have a smaller width than thesecond pixel area AA2. The first pixel area AA1 and/or the third pixelarea AA3 may comprise a plurality of first and/or third pixel areasarranged in a vertical direction or a horizontal direction.

The substrate 110 may have various forms so that the above-describedpixel areas AA1, AA2, and AA3 may be arranged thereon. The substrate 110may include an insulating material such as glass or resin. In addition,the substrate 110 may include materials having flexibility so that thesubstrate 110 may be bendable or foldable. The substrate 110 may have asingle-layer structure or a multilayer structure.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the display device10 according to some example embodiments of the present invention.Referring to FIG. 3, the display device 10 may include the pixels PXL1,PXL2, and PXL3 and a display driver. The display driver may include afirst scan driver 211, a second scan driver 212, a third scan driver213, a data driver 230, a memory 240 and a timing controller 250.

The first pixels PXL1 may be located in the first pixel area AA1 dividedby first scan lines S11 to S1 j and data lines D1 to Dm. The firstpixels PXL1 may receive data signals from the data lines D1 to Dm whenscan signals are supplied from the first scan lines S11 to S1 j. Each ofthe first pixels PXL1 receiving the data signals may control the amountof current flowing from a first power supply ELVDD to a second powersupply ELVSS via the organic light emitting diode. The organic lightemitting diode of each of the first pixels PXL1 may generate light ofbrightness corresponding to the current amount.

The second pixels PXL2 may be located in the second pixel area AA2divided by second scan lines S21 to S2 n and the data lines D1 to Dm.The second pixels PXL2 may receive data signals from the data lines D1to Dm when scan signals are provided from the second scan lines S21 toS2 n. Each of the second pixels PXL2 receiving the data signals maycontrol the amount of current flowing from the first power supply ELVDDto the second power supply ELVSS via the organic light emitting diode.The organic light emitting diode of each of the second pixels PXL2 maygenerate light having a brightness level corresponding to the currentamount.

The third pixels PXL3 may be located in the third pixel area AA3 dividedby third scan lines S31 to S3 k and the data lines D1 to Dm. The thirdpixels PXL3 may receive data signals from the data lines D1 to Dm whenscan signals are supplied from the third scan lines S31 to S3 k. Each ofthe third pixels PXL3 receiving the data signals may control the amountof current flowing from the first power supply ELVDD to the second powersupply ELVSS through the organic light emitting diode. The organic lightemitting diode of each of the third pixels PXL3 may generate light ofbrightness corresponding to the current amount.

When the display device 10 is driven in the second mode, an effectiveimage may be displayed on the first pixel area AA1, the second pixelarea AA2, and the third pixel area AA3. In other words, the user may seean image displayed on the first pixel area AA1, the second pixel areaAA2, and the third pixel area AA3.

When the display device 10 is driven in the first mode, an effectiveimage may be displayed on the second pixel area AA2, and the first andthird pixel areas AA1 and AA3 may be covered by the frame 31 of thewearable device 30.

When the display device 10 is driven in the first mode, because thefirst pixel area AA1 and the third pixel area AA3 are not visible to theuser, the first pixel area AA1 and the third pixel area AA3 may beblocked from displaying an image.

Scan signals may not be provided to the first scan lines S11 to S1 j andthe third scan lines S31 to S3 k connected to the first pixels PXL1 andthe third pixels PXL3, respectively, and separate data signals may notbe supplied to the first pixels PXL1 and the third pixels PXL3.

However, when the second pixels PXL2 are driven, if the first pixelsPXL1 and the third pixels PXL3 are not driven, characteristics ofdriving transistors included in the first pixel PXL1 and the third pixelPXL3 may be different from those of a driving transistor included in thesecond pixel PXL2.

As a result, when the driving mode switches from the first mode to thesecond mode, a luminance deviation may occur between the second pixelarea AA2 and the first and third pixel areas AA1 and AA3 due to acharacteristic deviation between the driving transistors included in thepixel areas AA1, AA2, and AA3. In addition, the boundaries between thefirst pixel area AA1 and the second pixel area AA2 and the boundariesbetween the second pixel area AA2 and the third pixel area AA3 may bevisible to the user.

However, according to some example embodiments of the present invention,when the display device 10 is driven in the first mode, the first pixelsPXL1 and the third pixels PXL3 may be driven by supplying scan signalsand data signals (e.g., dummy data signals) to the first pixels PXL1 andthe third pixels PXL3, so that the boundaries may be prevented frombeing visible due to the characteristic deviation of the drivingtransistors.

The first scan driver 211 may supply scan signals to the first scanlines S11 to S1 j in response to first scan control signals (CLK1, CLK2,MCS1, MCS2, VFLM1, FLM1, and FLM2) from the timing controller 250. Forexample, the first scan driver 211 may sequentially supply first scansignals to the first scan lines S11 to S1 j. When the first scan signalsare sequentially supplied to the first scan lines S11 to S1 j, the firstpixels PXL1 may be sequentially selected in a horizontal line unit.

In addition, the first scan driver 211 may simultaneously supply thefirst scan signals to the first scan lines S11 to S1 j. For example, thefirst scan signals may be simultaneously supplied to odd first scanlines S11, S13, S15, . . . , and the first scan signals may besimultaneously supplied to even first scan lines S12, S14, S16, . . . atthe same time.

The second scan driver 212 may supply scan signals to the second scanlines S21 to S2 n in response to second scan control signals (CLK1 andCLK2) from the timing controller 250. For example, the second scandriver 212 may sequentially supply second scan signals to the secondscan lines S21 to S2 n. When the second scan signals are sequentiallysupplied to the second scan lines S21 to S2 n, the second pixels PXL2may be sequentially selected in a horizontal line unit.

The third scan driver 213 may supply scan signals to the third scanlines S31 to S1 k in response to third scan control signals (CLK1, CLK2,MCS1, MCS2, and VFLM2) from the timing controller 250.

For example, the third scan driver 213 may sequentially supply the thirdscan signals to the third scan lines S31 to S3 k. When the third scansignals are sequentially supplied to the third scan lines S31 to S3 k,the third pixels PXL3 may be sequentially selected in a horizontal lineunit.

In addition, the third scan driver 213 may supply the third scan signalsto the third scan lines S31 to S3 k at the same time. For example, thethird scan signals may be supplied to odd third scan lines S31, S33,S35, . . . at the same time, and the third scan signals may be suppliedto even third scan lines S32, S34, S36, . . . at the same time.

The first scan signal, the second scan signal, and the third scan signalmay be set to voltages that turn on the corresponding transistors. Interms of the entire display device 10, when the display device 10 isdriven in the second mode, the first pixels PXL1 may be sequentiallyselected in the horizontal line unit, the second pixels PXL2 may then besequentially selected in the horizontal line unit, and lastly, the thirdpixels PXL3 may be sequentially selected in the horizontal line unit. Inaddition, when the display device is driven in the first mode, the firstpixels PXL1 in odd horizontal lines may be selected at the same time,the first pixels PXL1 in even horizontal lines may be selected at thesame time, the third pixels PXL3 in odd horizontal lines may be selectedat the same time, and the third pixels PXL3 located in even horizontallines may be selected at the same time. Lastly, the second pixels PXL2may be sequentially selected in the horizontal line unit.

According to some example embodiments, the display driver may furtherinclude the memory 240. According to some example embodiments, when thedisplay device 10 is driven in the first mode, the memory 240 may storedummy data signals to be supplied to the first pixels PXL1 and the thirdpixels PXL3.

For example, the memory 240 may store data signals supplied to secondpixels adjacent to the first pixel area AA1 (e.g., the second pixelsPXL2 connected to the 1st second scan line S21), among the second pixelsPXL2, as first dummy data signals during the previous frame. The firstdummy data signals may be supplied to the first pixels PXL1 in thecurrent frame in the first mode.

In addition, data signals supplied to second pixels adjacent to thethird pixel area AA3 (e.g., the second pixels PXL2 connected to the lastsecond scan line S2 n), among the second pixels PXL2, may be stored assecond dummy data signals in the memory 240. The second dummy datasignals may be supplied to the third pixels PXL3 in the current frame inthe first mode.

The data driver 230 may supply data signals to the data lines D1 to Dmin response to a data control signal DCS. The data signals supplied tothe data lines D1 to Dm may be supplied to the pixels PXL1, PXL2, andPXL3 selected by the scan signals. The timing controller 250 may supplyscan control signals generated on the basis of externally suppliedtiming signals to the scan drivers 211, 212, and 213.

The first scan control signals may include switch control signals MCS1and MCS2, clock signals CLK1 and CLK2, start signals FLM1 and FLM2 and afirst sub-start signal VFLM1. The first start signal FLM1 and the firstsub-start signal VFLM1 may be applied to control supply timing of thefirst scan signals, and the clock signals CLK1 and CLK2 may be appliedto shift the first start signal FLM1. In addition, the switch controlsignals MCS1 and MCS2 may be applied to determine an output signal of amultiplexer to be described below.

The second scan control signals may include the clock signals CLK1 andCLK2. The clock signals CLK1 and CLK2 may be used to shift the last scansignal S1 j of the first scan driver. The third scan control signals mayinclude the switch control signals MCS1 and MCS2, the clock signals CLK1and CLK2 and a second sub-start signal VFLM2. The first sub-start signalVFLM1 may be applied to control supply timing of the third scan signals,and the switch control signals MCS1 and MCS2 may be applied to determinean output signal of a multiplexer to be described below.

The timing controller 250 may supply the data control signal DCS to thedata driver 230. In addition, the timing controller 250 may convertexternally input image data into image data DATA which meets thespecifications of the data driver 230. The data control signal DCS mayinclude a source start signal, a source output enable signal, and asource sampling clock. The source start signal may be applied to controla data sampling start point of the data driver 230. The source samplingclock may control a sampling operation of the data driver 230 on thebasis of a rising or falling edge. The source output enable signal maycontrol output timing of the data driver 230.

FIG. 3 illustrates the scan drivers 211, 212, and 213, the data driver230, memory 240 and the timing controller 250 as separate components.However, according to some example embodiments, at least some of thecomponents may be incorporated into a same component. In addition, thescan drivers 211, 212, and 213, the data driver 230, the memory 240 andthe timing controller 250 may be provided by various methods such aschip on glass, chip on plastic, tape carrier package, and chip on film.

FIG. 4 is an embodiment of one of the first pixels PXL1 shown in FIG. 3.For convenience of explanation, FIG. 4 illustrates the first pixel PXL1connected to the jth first scan line S1 j and the mth data line Dm asshown in FIG. 3. Referring to FIG. 4, the first pixel PXL1 may include apixel circuit PC that is connected to an organic light emitting diodeOLED, the mth data line Dm and the jth first scan line S1 j andconfigured to control the organic light emitting diode OLED. An anodeelectrode of the organic light emitting diode OLED may be connected tothe pixel circuit PC and a cathode thereof may be connected to thesecond power supply ELVSS.

The organic light emitting diode OLED may generate light (e.g., of apredetermined brightness) in response to current supplied from the pixelcircuit PC. The pixel circuit PC may store a data signal supplied to themth data line Dm when a scan signal is supplied to the jth first scanline S1 j and control the amount of current flowing to the organic lightemitting diode OLED in response to the stored data signal. For example,the pixel circuit PC may include a first transistor Ml, a secondtransistor M2 and a storage capacitor Cst.

The first transistor M1 may be connected between the mth data line Dmand the second transistor M2. For example, the first transistor M1 mayhave a gate electrode connected to the jth first scan line S1 j, a firstelectrode connected to the mth data line Dm, and a second electrodeconnected to a gate electrode of the second transistor M2.

The first transistor M1 may be turned on when the scan signal issupplied from the jth first scan line S1 j, and supply the data signalfrom the mth data line Dm to the storage capacitor Cst. The storagecapacitor Cst may be charged with a voltage corresponding to the datasignal. The second transistor M2 may be connected between the firstpower supply ELVDD and the organic light emitting diode OLED.

For example, the second transistor M2 may have the gate electrodeconnected to a first electrode of the storage capacitor Cst and thesecond electrode of the first transistor Ml, a first electrode connectedto a second electrode of the storage capacitor Cst and the first powersupply ELVDD, and a second electrode connected to the anode electrode ofthe organic light emitting diode OLED.

The second transistor M2 may be a driving transistor and control theamount of current flowing from the first power supply ELVDD via theorganic light emitting diode OLED to the second power supply ELVSS inresponse to a voltage value stored in the storage capacitor Cst. Theorganic light emitting diode OLED may generate light corresponding tothe amount of current supplied from the second transistor M2.

The first electrode of each of the transistors M1 and M2 may be set toone of a source electrode and a drain electrode, and the secondelectrode of each of the transistors M1 and M2 may be set to the otherelectrode. For example, when the first electrode is set to a sourceelectrode, the second electrode may be set to a drain electrode. Inaddition, as illustrated in FIG. 4, for example, the transistors M1 andM2 may be PMOS transistors. According to another embodiment, thetransistors M1 and M2 may be NMOS transistors.

The structure of the pixel shown in FIG. 4 may correspond to anembodiment. The first pixel PXL1 of the present invention is not limitedto the above pixel structure. The first pixel PXL1 may have a circuitconfiguration so that current may be supplied to the organic lightemitting diode OLED. Any one of various configurations currently knownin the art may be used as the circuit configuration of the first pixelPXL1.

The first power supply ELVDD may be a high-potential power supply andthe second power supply ELVSS may be a low-potential power supply. Forexample, the first power supply ELVDD may be set to a positive voltageand the second power supply ELVSS may be set to a negative voltage or aground voltage.

Each of the second pixel PXL2 and the third pixel PXL3 may have the same(or substantially the same) circuit configuration as the first pixelPXL1. Therefore, repetitive description of the second pixel PXL2 and thethird pixel PXL3 will be omitted.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the first, second,and third scan drivers shown in FIG. 3. For convenience of explanation,FIG. 5 illustrates three scan stages SST11, SST12, and SST1 j includedin the first scan driver 211, two scan stages SST21 and SST2 n includedin the second scan driver 212, and two scan stages SST31 and SST3 kincluded in the third scan driver 213. Referring to FIG. 5, the firstscan driver 211 may include a plurality of scan stages SST11 to SST1 jand first multiplexers 217 a. The scan stages SST11 to SST1 j of thefirst scan driver 211 may be connected to ends of the first scan linesS11 to S1 j and supply first scan signals to the first scan lines S11 toS1 j, respectively. In addition, the first multiplexers 217 a may beconnected to the scan stages SST11 to SST1 j of the first scan driver211, respectively.

According to an embodiment, the first multiplexer 217 a may include afirst switch TR1 and a second switch TR2. Each of the first switch TR1and the second switch TR2 may be composed of a transistor. A gateelectrode of the first switch TR1 may be connected to a first switchcontrol line 510, a first electrode thereof may be connected to a firstsub-start signal line 530 or a second start signal line 540, and asecond electrode thereof may be connected to the scan stages SST11 toSST1 j.

For example, the first electrode of the first switch TR1 connected toeach of the first to (j−1)th scan stages SST11 to SST1 j−1 may beconnected to the first sub-start signal line 530, and the firstelectrode of the first switch TR1 connected to the last scan stage SST1j may be connected to the second start signal line 540.

A gate electrode of the second switch TR2 may be connected to a secondswitch control line 520, a first electrode thereof may be connected to astart signal line or a scan line connected to a scan stage of theprevious stage, and a second electrode thereof may be connected to eachof the scan stages SST11 to SST1 j.

The scan stages SST11 to SST1 j of the first scan driver 211 may operatein response to the first switch control signal MCS1 supplied through thefirst switch control line 510 and the second switch control signal MCS2supplied through the second switch control line 520. For example, whenthe display device 10 is driven in the second mode, the first switch TR1may be turned off and the second switch TR2 may be turned on in responseto the first switch control signal MCS1 and the second switch controlsignal MCS2.

In other words, the 1st first scan stage SST11 may supply a first scansignal to the 1st first scan line S11 in response to the first startsignal FLM1, and the 2nd first scan stage SST12 may supply a first scansignal to the 2nd first scan line S12 in response to an output signalfrom the 1st first scan stage SST11 (the first scan signal supplied tothe first scan line S11).

On the other hand, when the display device 10 is driven in the firstmode, the first switch TR1 may be turned on and the second switch TR2may be turned off by the first switch control signal MCS1 and the secondswitch control signal MCS2, respectively.

In other words, the scan stages SST11 to SST1 j−1 of the first scandriver 211 may supply scan signals to the first scan lines S11 to S1 jin response to the first sub-start signal VFLM1. The last scan stageSST1 j may supply a scan signal in response to the second start signalFLM2. The scan stages SST11 to SST1 j may have the same circuitstructure.

Subsequently, the second scan driver 212 may include a plurality of scanstages SST21 to SST2 n. Each of the stages SST21 to SST2 n of the secondscan driver 212 may be connected to one end of each of the second scanlines S21 to S2 n and supply a second scan signal to each of the secondscan lines S21 to S2 n.

Each of the scan stages SST21 to SST2 n may receive an output signal(i.e., scan signal) of the previous scan stage. For example, the firstscan stage SST21 may receive an output signal from the last scan stageSST1 j of the first scan driver 211 and the last scan stage SST2 n mayreceive an output signal from an (n−1)th scan stage SST2 n−1.

The scan stages SST21 to SST2 n may be composed of the same circuit. Inaddition, the scan stages SST11 to SST1 j of the first scan driver 211and the scan stages SST21 to SST2 n of the second scan driver 212 may becomposed of the same circuits.

The third scan driver 213 may include a plurality of scan stages SST31to SST3 k and second multiplexers 217 b. Each of the scan stages SST31to SST3 k of the third scan driver 213 may be connected to one end ofeach of the third scan lines S31 to S3 k and supply a third scan signalto each of the third scan lines S31 to S3 k.

In addition, each of the second multiplexers 217 b may be connected toeach of the scan stages SST31 to SST3 k of the third scan driver 213.The second multiplexer 217 b may include the first switch TR1 and thesecond switch TR2. Each of the first switch TR1 and the second switchTR2 may include a transistor.

A gate electrode of the first switch TR1 may be connected to the firstswitch control line 510, a first electrode thereof may be connected tothe second sub-start signal line 540, and a second electrode thereof maybe connected to each of the scan stages SST31 to SST3 k.

A gate electrode of the second switch TR2 may be connected to the secondswitch control line 520, a first electrode thereof may be connected to ascan line connected to the previous scan stage, and a second electrodethereof may be connected to each of the scan stages SST31 to SST3 k.

The scan stages SST31 to SST3 k of the third scan driver 213 may operatein response to the first switch control signal MCS1 supplied through thefirst switch control line 510 and the second switch control signal MCS2supplied through the second switch control line 520.

For example, when the display device 10 is driven in the second mode,the first switch TR1 may be turned off and the second switch TR2 may beturned on in response to the first switch control signal MCS1 and thesecond switch control signal MCS2, respectively.

In other words, the 1st third scan stage SST31 may supply a third scansignal to the 1st third scan line S31 in response to a scan signaloutput from the last second scan stage SST2 n. The 2nd third scan stageSST32 may supply a third scan signal to the 2nd third scan line S32 inresponse to an output signal from the 1st third scan stage SST31 (thethird scan signal supplied to the third scan line S31).

On the other hand, when the display device 10 is driven in the firstmode, the first switch TR1 may be turned on and the second switch TR2may be turned off by the first switch control signal MCS1 and the secondswitch control signal MCS2, respectively. In other words, the scanstages SST31 to SST3 j of the third scan driver 213 may supply scansignals to the third scan lines S31 to S3 j in response to the secondsub-start signal VFLM2.

The scan stages SST31 to SST3 k may have the same circuit structure. Inaddition, the scan stages SST11 to SST1 j of the first scan driver 211and the scan stages SST31 to SST3 k of the third scan driver 213 mayhave the same circuit structure.

According to an embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the switches TR1 and TR2may be composed of PMOS transistors. However, according to anotherembodiment, the switches TR1 and TR2 may be composed of NMOStransistors. Each of the scan stages SST11 to SST1 j, SST21 to SST2 n,and SST31 to SST3 k may receive the first clock signal CLK1 and thesecond clock signal CLK2.

The first clock signal CLK1 and the second clock signal CLK2 may havethe same cycle and non-overlapping phases. For example, when the displaydevice 10 is driven in the second mode, if a scan signal is supplied toa single scan line during a 1 horizontal period 1H, each of the clocksignals CLK1 and CLK2 may have a cycle corresponding to 2H. In addition,the clock signals CLK1 and CLK2 may be supplied during differenthorizontal periods.

FIG. 6 is a waveform view illustrating a method of driving the scanstages shown in FIG. 5 when the display device 10 is driven in thesecond mode. Referring to FIG. 6, the first clock signal CLK1 and thesecond clock signal CLK2 each may have a cycle of two horizontal periods2H and be supplied during horizontal periods. In other words, the secondclock signal CLK2 may be set to be shifted by half the cycle (i.e., onehorizontal period) of the first clock signal CLK1. Each of the firstclock signal CLK1 and the second clock signal CLK2 may be set to a firstwidth w1.

When the display device 10 is driven in the second mode, the firstswitch control signal MCS1 having a high level may be supplied to thefirst switch control signal line 510 and the second switch controlsignal MCS2 having a low level may be supplied to the second switchcontrol signal line 520. Therefore, all first switches TR1 of themultiplexers 217 a may be turned off and all second switches TR2 thereofmay be turned on.

In other words, the first start signal FLM1 may be supplied to the firstscan stage SST11 of the first scan driver 211, and output signals fromthe previous scan stages may be supplied to the remaining scan stages(SST12 to SST1 j, SST21 to SST2 n, and SST31 to SST3 k).

The first scan stage SST11 may receive the first start signal FLM1 andoutput the second clock signal CLK2 overlapping with the first startsignal FLM1 as a scan signal SS11 through the 1st first scan line S11.Subsequently, the second scan stage SST12 may receive the scan signalSS11 output from the first scan stage SST11.

The second scan stage SST12 may output the first clock signal CLK1adjacent to the scan signal SS11 as a scan signal SS12 through the 2ndfirst scan line S12. According to an embodiment, the scan stages SST11to SST1 j, SST21 to SST2 n, and SST31 to SST3 k may repeat theabove-described processes and sequentially output scan signals to theremaining scan lines (S13 to S1 j, S21 to S2 n, and S31 to S3 k) until athird scan signal SS3 k is output from the last scan stage SST3 k.

Because each of the first clock signal CLK1 and the second clock signalCLK2 has the first width w1, each of the scan signals SS11 to SS3 k mayhave the first width w1. In other words, when the display device 10 isdriven in the second mode, the first clock signal CLK1 and the secondclock signal CLK2 supplied to the scan stages SST11 to SST1 j, SST21 toSST2 n, and SST31 to SST3 k and the scan signals SS11 to SS3 k outputfrom the scan stages SST11 to SST1 j, SST21 to SST2 n, and SST31 to SST3k may have the first width w1.

According to some example embodiments, the scan signals output from theodd scan stages SST11, SST13, SST15, . . . , among the scan stages SST11to SST1 j, SST21 to SST2 n, and SST31 to SST3 k, may overlap with thesecond clock signal CLK2. In addition, the scan signals output from theeven scan stages SST12, SST14, SST16, . . . may overlap with the firstclock signal CLK1.

However, example embodiments of the present invention are not limitedthereto. According to the configurations of the scan stages SST11 toSST1 j, SST21 to SST2 n, and SST31 to SST3 k, the scan signals outputfrom the odd scan stages SST11, SST13, SST15, . . . may overlap with thefirst clock signal CLK1, and the scan signals output from the even scanstages SST12, SST14, SST16, . . . may overlap with the second clocksignal CLK2.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an image displaying method according toan embodiment. Referring to FIG. 7, each frame may include a firstsub-frame period FS1 and a second sub-frame period FS2. An image may notbe displayed or an image corresponding to dummy data may be displayedduring the first sub-frame period FS1. An effective image correspondingto valid data may be displayed during the second sub-frame period FS2.When the display device 10 is driven in the second mode, scan signalsmay be supplied to the pixels PXL1, PXL2, and PXL3 through the 1st firstscan line S11 to the last third scan line S3 k during the secondsub-frame period FS2.

When the display device 10 is driven in the first mode, scan signals maybe supplied to the second pixels PXL2 through the 1st to the last secondscan lines S21 to S2 n during the second sub-frame period FS2. Inaddition, during the first sub-frame period FS1, the scan signals may besupplied to the first pixels PXL1 through the 1st to last first scanlines S11 to S1 j, and the scan signals may be supplied to the thirdpixels PXL3 through the 1st to last third scan lines S31 to S3 k.

When the scan signals are supplied to the first pixels PXL1 through the1st to the last first scan lines S11 to S1 j, the data signals suppliedto the pixels PXL2 connected to a 1st second scan line during theprevious frame may be supplied to the first pixels PXL1.

For example, during the first sub-frame FS1 period of an ith frame, thedata signals supplied to the first pixels PXL1 supplied to the pixelsPXL2 connected to a 1st second scan line of an (i−1)th frame i−1thframe.

In addition, when scan signals are supplied to the third pixels PXL3through the 1st to last third scan lines S31 to S3 k, the data signalssupplied to the pixels PXL2 connected to the last second scan line S2 nduring the previous frame may be supplied to the third pixels PXL3. Forexample, during the first sub-frame FS1 period of the ith frame, thedata signals supplied to the pixels PXL2 connected to the last secondscan line S2 n of the (i−1)th frame i−1th frame may be supplied to thethird pixels PXL3.

As illustrated in FIG. 7, the first sub-frame periods FS1 and the secondsub-frame periods FS2 may be sequentially arranged in a single frame.However, example embodiments of the present invention are not limitedthereto. The order in which the first sub-frame period FS1 and thesecond sub-frame period FS2 are arranged may be changed.

FIG. 8 is a waveform view illustrating a method of driving scan stagesshown in FIG. 5 when the display device 10 is driven in the first mode.Referring to FIG. 8, the first clock signal CLK1 and the second clocksignal CLK2 may have a longer cycle than two horizontal periods 2H andmay not overlap with each other.

For example, the first clock signal CLK1 and the second clock signalCLK2 may have a cycle of six horizontal periods 6H, and the second clocksignal CLK2 may be shifted by half the cycle (i.e., three horizontalperiods) of the first clock signal CLK1. The first clock signal CLK1 andthe second clock signal CLK2 supplied to the first scan stages and thethird scan stages when the display device 10 is driven in the first modemay be set to a second width w2 greater than the first width w1.

When the display device 10 is driven in the first mode, the first switchcontrol signal MCS1 having a low level may be supplied to the firstswitch control signal line 510 and the second switch control signal MCS2having a high level may be supplied to the second switch control signalline 520. Therefore, all first switches TR1 of the multiplexers 217 amay be turned on and all second switches TR2 thereof may be turned off.The first sub-start signal VFLM1 and the second sub-start signal VFLM2may be sequentially supplied when the first control signal MCS1 having alow level is supplied.

Each of the first sub-start signal VFLM1 and the second sub-start signalVFLM2 may maintain a low level during the cycle of each of the firstclock signal CLK1 and the second clock signal CLK2 or more. For example,each of the first sub-start signal VFLM1 and the second sub-start signalVFLM2 may maintain the low level during six horizontal periods or more.

First, the first sub-start signal VFLM1 may be supplied to the scanstages SST11 to SST1 j of the first scan driver 211 at the same time.When the first sub-start signal VFLM1 is supplied to the scan stagesSST11 to SST1 j of the first scan driver 211, the odd scan stages SST11,SST13, SST15, . . . may output the second clock signal CLK2 overlappingwith the first sub-start signal VFLM1 as a scan signal.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 8, the first scan signal SS11 and a thirdscan signal SS13 may be supplied at the same time. When scan signals aresupplied to the scan lines S11, S13, S15, . . . corresponding to oddhorizontal lines, dummy data may be supplied to the first pixel area AA1from the data driver 230.

The dummy data supplied to the first pixel area AA1 may be datapreviously supplied to the pixels PXL2 located in the first horizontalline of the second pixel area AA2 during the previous frame.Subsequently, the even scan stages SST12, SST14, SST16, . . . may supplythe first clock signal CLK1 adjacent to the first sub-start signal VFLM1as a scan signal. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 8, the second scan signalSS12 and a fourth scan signal SS14 may be supplied at the same time.

When scan signals are supplied to the scan lines S12, S14, S16, . . .corresponding to even horizontal lines, dummy data from the data driver230 may be supplied to the first pixel area AA1. The dummy data may bethe same as the dummy data supplied to the pixels PXL1 located in theodd horizontal lines. In other words, the data supplied to the pixelsPXL2 located in the first horizontal line of the second pixel area AA2during the previous frame may be supplied to the pixels PXL1 located inthe even horizontal lines.

After the first sub-start signal VFLM1 is supplied, the second sub-startsignal VFLM2 may be supplied to the scan stages SST31 to SST3 k of thethird scan driver 213 at the same time. When the second sub-start signalVFLM2 is supplied to the scan stages SST31 to SST3 k of the third scandriver 213, the odd scan stages SST31, SST33, SST35, . . . may outputthe second clock signal CLK2 overlapping with the second sub-startsignal VFLM2 as a scan signal.

Therefore, as illustrated in FIG. 8, a first scan signal SS31 and athird scan signal SS33 may be supplied at the same time. When scansignals are supplied to the scan lines S31, S33, S35, . . .corresponding to odd horizontal lines, dummy data may be supplied fromthe data driver 230 to the third pixel area AA3. The dummy data suppliedto the third pixel area AA3 may be data previously supplied to thepixels PXL2 located in the last horizontal line of the second pixel areaAA2 during the previous frame.

Subsequently, each of the even scan stages SST32, SST34, SST36, . . .may output the first clock signal CLK1 adjacent to the second sub-startsignal VFLM2 as a scan signal. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 8, a secondscan signal SS32 and a fourth scan signal SS34 may be supplied may besupplied at the same time.

When scan signals corresponding to the scan lines S32, S34, S36, . . .corresponding to even horizontal lines are supplied, the dummy data maybe supplied from the data driver 230 to the third pixel area AA3. Thedummy data may be the same as the dummy data supplied to the pixels PXL3located in the odd horizontal lines.

In other words, the data supplied to the pixels PXL2 located in the lasthorizontal line of the second pixel area AA2 during the previous framemay be supplied to the pixels PXL3 located in the even horizontal lines.

When the display device 10 is driven in the first mode, the first clocksignal CLK1 and the second clock signal CLK2 supplied to the first scanstages SST11 to SST1 j and the third scan stages SST31 to SST3 k mayhave the second width w2. Therefore, each of the first scan signals SS11to SS1 j−1 and the third scan signals SS31 to SS3 k may also have thesecond width w2.

In other words, by controlling the width of each of the first scansignals SS11 to SS1 j−1 and the third scan signals SS31 to SS3 k,brightness of a dummy image displayed on the first pixel area AA1 andthe third pixel area AA3 may be controlled.

After the third scan signals SS31 to SS3 k are output, the width of eachof the first and second clock signals CLK1 and CLK2 may change from thesecond width w2 to a third width w3 smaller than the second width w2.Therefore, the second scan signals may have the third width w3. Thesecond start signal FLM2, not the first sub-start signal VFLM1, may besupplied to the last stage circuit SST1 j of the first scan driver 211.The last stage circuit SST1 j of the first scan driver 211 may generateand output the scan signal S1 j corresponding to the second start signalFLM2, and the first stage circuit SST21 of the second scan driver 212may generate a scan signal corresponding to the scan signal S1 j outputfrom the last stage circuit SST1 j of the first scan driver 211.

The second start signal FLM2 may be output after the scan signals aresupplied to the third scan lines S31 to S3 k. In other words, the secondscan driver 212 may start to be driven after each of the first and thirdscan drivers 211 and 213 stops being driven. The second scan driver 212may sequentially supply scan signals to the second scan lines S21 to S2n.

As described above, when the display device 10 is driven in the firstmode, the first sub-start signal VFLM1 and the second sub-start signalVFLM2 may not overlap with each other so as to supply different dummydata to the first pixel area AA1 and the third pixel area AA3,respectively. However, the invention is not limited thereto.

When the display device 10 is driven in the first mode, because thefirst pixel area AA1 and the third pixel area AA3 are not viewed by theuser by the frame, the same dummy data may be supplied thereto. Thefirst sub-start signal VFLM1 and the second sub-start signal VFLM2 maybe supplied at the same time.

FIG. 9 is a detailed diagram illustrating the configuration of a displaydevice 10′ according to some example embodiments of the presentinvention. The display device 10′ according to another embodiment willbe described with reference to FIG. 9. Some repetitive description ofthe same components of the display device 10′ as those of the displaydevice 10 shown in FIG. 3 will be omitted, and different components ofthe display device 10′ from those of the display device 10 shown in FIG.3 will be omitted.

Referring to FIG. 9, the display device 10′ may include pixels PXL1′,PXL2′, and PXL3′ and a display driver. The display driver may includethe first scan driver 211, the second scan driver 212, the third scandriver 213, a first emission driver 311, a second emission driver 312, athird emission driver 313, the data driver 230, the memory 240 and thetiming controller 250. The first pixels PXL1′ may be located in thefirst pixel area AA1 divided by the first scan lines S11 to S1 j, firstemission lines El1 to E1 j and the data lines D1 to Dm. The secondpixels PXL2′ may be located in the second pixel area AA2 divided by thesecond scan lines S21 to S2 n, second emission lines E21 to E2 n and thedata lines D1 to Dm. The third pixels PXL3′ may be located in the thirdpixel area AA3 divided by the third scan lines S31 to S3 k, thirdemission lines E31 to E3 k and the data lines D1 to Dm. The firstemission driver 311 may supply first emission signals to the firstemission lines El1 to E1 j in response to first emission control signals(CLK3, CLK4, MCS3, MCS4, VFLM3, FLM3, and FLM4) from the timingcontroller 250.

For example, in the second mode, the first emission driver 311 maysequentially supply the first emission signals to the first emissionlines E11 to E1 j. In addition, in the first mode, the first emissiondriver 311 may simultaneously supply the first emission signals to thefirst emission lines E11 to E1 j. For example, the first emission driver311 may supply the first emission signals to the odd first emissionlines E11, E13, E15, . . . . and the first emission signals to the evenfirst emission lines E12, E14, E16, . . . .

These emission signals may be applied to control emission time of thefirst pixels PXL1′. The first emission signal may be set to have agreater width than the scan signal. The second emission driver 312 maysupply second emission signals to the second emission lines E21 to E2 nin response to second emission control signals (CLK3 and CLK4) from thetiming controller 250.

For example, in the first and second modes, the second emission driver312 may sequentially supply the second emission signals to the secondemission lines E21 to E2 n. The second emission signals may be appliedto control emission time of the second pixels PXL2′. The second emissionsignal may be set to a greater width than the scan signal. The thirdemission driver 313 may supply third emission signals to the thirdemission lines E31 to E3 k.

For example, in the second mode, the third emission driver 313 maysequentially supply emission signals to the third emission lines E31 toE3 k in response to third emission control signals (CLK3, CLK4, MCS3,MCS4, and VFLM4) from the timing controller 250.

In addition, in the first mode, the third emission driver 313 maysimultaneously supply the third emission signals to the plurality ofthird emission lines E31 to E3 k. For example, the third emission driver313 may simultaneously supply the third emission signals to the oddthird emission lines E31, E33, E35, . . . and simultaneously the thirdemission signals to even third emission lines E32, E34, E36,

The third emission signals may be applied to control emission time ofthe third pixels PXL3′. The emission signal may be set to a greaterwidth than the scan signal. The first to third emission signals may beset to a gate off voltage (for example, a high voltage) so thattransistors included in the pixels PXL1′, PXL2′, and PXL3′ may be turnedoff. The scan signals may be set to a gate on voltage (e.g., a lowvoltage) so that transistors included in the pixels PXL1′, PXL2′, andPXL3′ may be turned on.

When the display device 10 is driven in the first mode, the first pixelsPXL1′ located in an odd horizontal line may emit light at the same time,and the first pixels PXL1′ located in an even horizontal line may emitlight at the same time.

Subsequently, the third pixels PXL3′ located in an odd horizontal linemay emit light at the same time and the third pixels PXL3′ located in aneven horizontal line may emit light at the same time. Subsequently, thesecond pixels PXL2′ may sequentially emit light in units of horizontallines.

On the other hand, when the display device 10 is driven in the secondmode, the first pixels PXL1′ may start emitting light in units ofhorizontal lines, the second pixels PXL2′ may then start emitting lightin units of horizontal lines, and lastly, the third pixels PXL3′ maystart emitting light in units of horizontal lines.

The timing controller 250 may supply emission control signals generatedon the basis of externally supplied timing signals to the emissiondrivers 311, 312, and 313. The first emission control signals mayinclude switch control signals MCS3 and MCS4, clock signals CLK3 andCLK4, start signals FLM3 and FLM4 and a third sub-start signal VFLM3.

The third start signal FLM3 and the third sub-start signal VFLM3 may beapplied to control supply timing of the first emission signals, and theclock signals CLK3 and CLK4 may be used to shift the third start signalFLM3. In addition, the switch control signals MCS3 and MCS4 may be usedto determine an output signal of a multiplexer to be described below.

The second emission control signals may include the clock signals CLK3and CLK4. The clock signals CLK3 and CLK4 may be used to shift a lastemission signal E1 j of the first emission driver 311. The thirdemission control signals may include the switch control signals MCS3 andMCS4, the clock signals CLK3 and CLK4 and a fourth sub-start signalVFLM4.

The fourth sub-start signal VFLM4 may be applied to control supplytiming of the third emission signals, and the switch control signalsMCS3 and MCS4 may be applied to determine an output signal of amultiplexer to be described below.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating one embodiment of the first pixelPXL1′ shown in FIG. 9. For convenience of explanation, as illustrated inFIG. 10, the first pixel PXL1′ may be connected to the jth first scanline S1 j and the mth data line Dm. Referring to

FIG. 10, according to an embodiment, the first pixel PXL1′ may includethe organic light emitting diode OLED, first to seventh transistors T1to T7, and the storage capacitor Cst.

An anode of the organic light emitting diode OLED may be connected tothe first transistor T1 through a sixth transistor T6, and a cathodethereof may be connected to the second power supply ELVSS. The organiclight emitting diode OLED may generate light of a predeterminedbrightness in response to the amount of current supplied from the firsttransistor T1.

The first power supply ELVDD may be set to a higher voltage than thesecond power supply ELVSS so that current may flow through the organiclight emitting diode OLED.

The seventh transistor T7 may be connected between an initializationpower supply Vint and the anode of the organic light emitting diodeOLED. In addition, a gate electrode of the seventh transistor T7 may beconnected to the jth first scan line S1 j. The seventh transistor T7 maybe turned on when a scan signal is supplied to the jth first scan lineS1 j, and may supply a voltage of the initialization power supply Vintto the anode of the organic light emitting diode OLED. Theinitialization power supply Vint may be set to a lower voltage than thedata signal.

The sixth transistor T6 may be connected between the first transistor T1and the organic light emitting diode OLED. A gate electrode of the sixthtransistor T6 may be connected to the jth first emission line E1 j. Thesixth transistor T6 may be turned off when an emission control signal issupplied to the jth first emission line E1 j, and otherwise turned on.

A fifth transistor T5 may be connected between the first power supplyELVDD and the first transistor T1. In addition, a gate electrode of thefifth transistor T5 may be connected to the jth first emission line E1j. The fifth transistor T5 may be turned off when the emission controlsignal is supplied to the jth first emission line E1 j, and otherwise,turned on.

A first electrode of the first transistor T1 (driving transistor) may beconnected to the first power supply ELVDD through the fifth transistorT5 and a second electrode thereof may be connected to the anode of theorganic light emitting diode OLED through the sixth transistor T6. Agate electrode of the first transistor T1 may be connected to a firstnode N1. The first transistor T1 may control the amount of currentflowing from the first power supply ELVDD through the organic lightemitting diode OLED to the second power supply ELVSS in response to avoltage of the first node N1.

A third transistor T3 may be connected to the second electrode of thefirst transistor T1 and the first node N1. A gate electrode of the thirdtransistor T3 may be connected to the jth first scan line S1 j. Thethird transistor T3 may be turned on when the scan signal is supplied tothe jth first scan line S1 j, and electrically connect the secondelectrode of the first transistor T1 and the first node N1. Therefore,when the third transistor T3 is turned on, the first transistor T1 maybe connected in a diode form.

The fourth transistor T4 may be connected between the first node N1 andthe initialization power supply Vint. In addition, a gate electrode ofthe fourth transistor T4 may be connected to a (j−1)th first scan lineS1 j−1. The fourth transistor T4 may be turned on when a scan signal issupplied to the (j−1)th first scan line S1 j−1, and supply the voltageof the initialization power supply Vint to the first node N1.

A second transistor T2 may be connected between the mth data line Dm andthe first electrode of the first transistor T1. In addition, a gateelectrode of the second transistor T2 may be connected to the jth firstscan line S1 j. The second transistor T2 may be turned on when the scansignal is supplied to the jth first scan line S1 j, and electricallyconnect the mth data line Dm to the first electrode of the firsttransistor T1.

The storage capacitor Cst may be connected between the first powersupply ELVDD and the first node N1. The storage capacitor Cst may storea voltage corresponding to the data signal and a threshold voltage ofthe first transistor T1.

Although the pixel structure shown in FIG. 10 corresponds to anembodiment of the invention, the first pixel PXL1′ is not limitedthereto. The first pixel PXL1′ may have any one of various circuitconfigurations currently known in the art as a circuit configurationthereof so that the first pixel PXL1′ may supply current to the organiclight emitting diode OLED.

The first power supply ELVDD may be a high-potential power supply andthe second power supply ELVSS may be a low-potential power supply. Forexample, the first power supply ELVDD may be set to a positive voltageand the second power supply ELVSS may be set to a negative voltage or aground voltage.

Each of the second pixel PXL2′ and the third pixel PXL3′ to be describedbelow may be composed of the same circuit as the first pixel PXL1′.Therefore, a detailed description of the second pixel PXL2′ and thethird pixel PXL3′ will be omitted.

Because the configurations and the functions of the scan drivers shownin FIG. 9 are the same as those of the above-described scan drives,configurations and functions of emission drivers will be describedbelow.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a method of driving the pixel PXL1′shown in FIG. 10. Referring to FIG. 11, an emission signal may besupplied to an emission line Ej. When the emission signal is supplied tothe emission line Ej, the fifth transistor T5 and the sixth transistorT6 may be turned off. Thus, the pixel PXL1′ may be set to a non-emissionstate.

Subsequently, a scan signal may be supplied to a (j−1)th scan line Sj−1to turn on the fourth transistor T4. When the fourth transistor T4 isturned on, the voltage of the initialization power supply Vint may besupplied to the first node N1, so that the first node N1 may beinitialized to the voltage of the initialization power supply Vint.

After the first node N1 is initialized to the voltage of theinitialization power supply Vint, a scan signal may be supplied to a jthscan line Sj. When the scan signal is supplied to the jth scan line Sj,the second transistor T2, the third transistor T3 and the seventhtransistor T7 may be turned on.

When the seventh transistor T7 is turned on, the voltage of theinitialization power supply Vint may be supplied to the anode electrodeof the organic light emitting diode OLED. Thus, a parasitic capacitorformed parasitically formed in the organic light emitting diode OLED maybe discharged, so that black expression capability may be improved.

For example, the parasitic capacitor of the organic light emitting diodeOLED may be charged with a predetermined voltage in response to currentsupplied during the previous frame. When a black grayscale is displayedduring the current frame, the organic light emitting diode OLED maynecessarily maintain the non-emission state. When the parasiticcapacitor of the organic light emitting diode OLED remains charged, theorganic light emitting diode OLED may slightly emit light by a leakagecurrent of the first transistor T1.

On the other hand, when the parasitic capacitor of the organic lightemitting diode OLED is discharged, the leakage current of the firsttransistor T1 may precharge the parasitic capacitor of the organic lightemitting diode OLED, and therefore, the organic light emitting diodeOLED may maintain the non-emission state.

When the third transistor T3 is turned on, the first transistor T1 maybe connected in a diode form. When the second transistor T2 is turnedon, a data signal from the data line Dm may be supplied to the firstelectrode of the first transistor T1. Since the first node N1 isinitialized to the voltage of the initialization power supply Vint lowerthan the data signal, the first transistor T1 may be turned on. When thefirst transistor T1 is turned on, a voltage obtained by subtracting thethreshold voltage of the first transistor T1 from the data signal may besupplied to the first node N1. The storage capacitor Cst may store avoltage corresponding to the data signal applied to the first node N1and the threshold voltage of the first transistor T1.

After the voltage corresponding to the data signal applied to the firstnode N1 and the threshold voltage of the first transistor T1 is storedin the storage capacitor Cst, supply of the emission signal to theemission line Ej may be stopped. When the supply of the emission signalto the emission line Ej is stopped, the fifth transistor T5 and thesixth transistor T6 may be turned on. As a result, a current path may beformed from the first power supply ELVDD to the second power supplyELVSS through the fifth transistor T5, the first transistor T1, thesixth transistor T6 and the organic light emitting diode OLED.

The first transistor T1 may control the amount of current flowing fromthe first power supply ELVDD through the organic light emitting diodeOLED to the second power supply ELVSS in response to the voltage of thefirst node N1. The organic light emitting diode OLED may generate lightof a predetermined brightness in response to the amount of currentsupplied from the first transistor T1.

The emission signal supplied to the emission line Ej may be supplied tooverlap with at least one scan signal so that each of the pixels PXL1′,PXL2′, and PXL3′ may be set to a non-emission state when the data signalis charged to each of the pixels PXL1′, PXL2′, and PXL3′. The timing atwhich the emission signal is supplied may be set by various methodscurrently known in the art.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the emissiondrivers shown in FIG. 9 according to some example embodiments of thepresent invention. For convenience of explanation, FIG. 12 illustratesthree first emission stages (EST11, EST12, and EST1 j) included in thefirst emission driver 311, two second emission stages EST21 and EST2 nincluded in the second emission driver 312, and third emission stagesEST31 and EST3 k included in the third emission driver 313.

Referring to FIG. 12, the first emission driver 311 may include aplurality of emission stages EST11 to EST1 j and third multiplexers 219a. Each of the emission stages EST11 to EST1 j of the first emissiondriver 311 may be connected to one end of each of the first emissionlines E11 to E1 j and supply a first emission signal to each of thefirst emission lines E11 to E1 j.

In addition, each of the third multiplexers 219 a may be connected toeach of the emission stages EST11 to EST1 j of the first emission driver311. According to an embodiment, the third multiplexer 219 a may includethe first switch TR1 and the second switch TR2. Each of the first switchTR1 and the second switch TR2 may be composed of a transistor.

A gate electrode of the first switch TR1 may be connected to a thirdswitch control line 515, a first electrode thereof may be connected to athird sub-start signal line 535 or a fourth start signal line, and asecond electrode thereof may be connected to each of the emission stagesEST11 to EST1 j.

For example, the first electrode of the first switch TR1 connected toeach of the first to (j−1)th emission stages EST11 to EST1 j−1 may beconnected to the third sub-start signal line 535, and the firstelectrode of the first switch TR1 connected to the last emission stageEST1 j may be connected to the fourth start signal line.

A gate electrode of the second switch TR2 may be connected to a fourthswitch control line 525, a first electrode thereof may be connected to athird start signal line or a first emission line connected to theprevious emission stage, and a second electrode thereof may be connectedto each of the emission stages EST11 to EST1 j.

The emission stages EST11 to EST1 j of the first emission driver 311 mayoperate in response to the third switch control signal MCS3 suppliedthrough the third switch control line 515 and the fourth switch controlsignal MCS4 supplied through the fourth switch control line 525.

For example, when the display device 10 is driven in the second mode,the first switch TR1 may be turned off and the second switch TR2 may beturned on by the third switch control signal MCS3 and the fourth switchcontrol signal MCS4.

In other words, the 1st first emission stage EST11 may supply a firstemission signal to the 1st first emission line E11 in response to thethird start signal FLM3. The 2nd first emission stage EST12 may supply afirst emission signal to the 2nd first emission line E12 in response toan output signal from the 1st first emission stage EST11 (a firstemission signal supplied to the first emission line E11).

On the other hand, when the display device 10 is driven in the firstmode, the first switch TR1 may be turned on and the second switch TR2may be turned off by the third switch control signal MCS3 and the fourthswitch control signal MCS4, respectively.

In other words, the emission stages EST11 to EST1 j−1 of the firstemission driver 311 may supply emission signals to the first emissionlines E11 to E1 j in response to the third sub-start signal VFLM3. Thelast emission stage EST1 j may supply an emission signal in response tothe fourth start signal FLM4.

Each of the emission stages EST11 to EST1 j may be composed of the samecircuit. The second emission driver 312 may include a plurality ofemission stages EST21 to EST2 n.

The second emission stages EST21 to EST2 n of the second emission driver312 may be connected to respective ends of the second emission lines E21to E2 n and supply second emission signals to the second emission linesE21 to E2 n, respectively.

Each of the second emission stages EST21 to EST2 n may receive an outputsignal (i.e., emission signal) of the previous emission stage. Forexample, the 1st emission stage EST21 may receive an output signal fromthe last emission stage EST1 j of the first emission driver 311, and thelast emission stage EST2 n may receive an output signal of an (n−1)themission stage EST2 n−1.

Each of the second emission stages EST21 to EST2 n may have the samecircuit. In addition, each of the emission stages EST11 to EST1 j of thefirst emission driver 311 and the emission stages EST21 to EST2 n of thesecond emission driver 312 may be composed of the same circuit.

The third emission driver 313 may include a plurality of emission stagesEST31 to EST3 k and fourth multiplexers 219 b. The third emission stagesEST31 to EST3 k of the third emission driver 313 may be connected torespective ends of the third emission lines E31 to E3 k and supply thirdemission signals to the third emission lines E31 to E3 k, respectively.

In addition, each of the fourth multiplexers 219 b may be connected toeach of the emission stages EST31 to EST3 k of the third emission driver313. The fourth multiplexer 219 b may include the first switch TR1 andthe second switch TR2. Each of the first switch TR1 and the secondswitch TR2 may be composed of a transistor.

A gate electrode of the first switch TR1 may be connected to the thirdswitch control line 515, a second electrode thereof may be connected toa fourth sub-start signal line 545, and a second electrode thereof maybe connected to each of the emission stages EST31 to EST3 k.

A gate electrode of the second switch TR2 may be connected to the fourthswitch control line 525, a first electrode thereof may be connected toan emission line connected to the previous emission stage, and a secondelectrode thereof may be connected to each of the emission stages EST31to EST3 k.

The third emission stages EST31 to EST3 k of the third emission driver313 may operate in response to the third switch control signal MCS3supplied through the third switch control line 515 and the fourth switchcontrol signal MCS4 of the fourth switch control line 525. For example,when the display device 10 is driven in the second mode, the firstswitch TR1 may be turned on and the second switch TR2 may be turned onby the third switch control signal MCS3 and the fourth switch controlsignal MCS4.

In other words, the 1st third emission stage EST31 may supply a thirdemission signal to the 1st third emission line E31 in response to anemission signal output from last second emission stage EST2 n. The 2ndthird emission stage EST32 may supply a third emission signal to the 2ndthird emission line E32 in response to an output signal (the thirdemission signal supplied to the 1st third emission line E31) from the1st third emission stage EST31.

On the other hand, when the display device 10 is driven in the firstmode, the first switch TR1 may be turned on and the second switch TR2may be turned off by the third switch control signal MCS3 and the fourthswitch control signal MCS4.

In other words, the emission stages EST31 to EST3 j of the thirdemission driver 313 may supply the emission signals to the thirdemission lines E31 to E3 j in response to the fourth sub-start signalVFLM4. Each of the emission stages EST31 to EST3 k may be composed ofthe same circuit. In addition, each of the first emission stages EST11to EST1 j of the first emission driver 311 and the third emission stagesEST31 to EST3 k of the third emission driver 313 may include the samecircuit.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, the switches TR1 and TR2 may include PMOStransistors. However, according to another embodiment, the switches TR1and TR2 may include NMOS transistors. Each of the emission stages EST11to EST1 j, EST21 to EST2 n, and EST31 to EST3 k may receive the thirdclock signal CLK3 and the fourth clock signal CLK4.

The third clock signal CLK3 and the fourth clock signal CLK4 may havethe same cycle and non-overlapping phases. The cycle of each of thethird clock signal CLK3 and the fourth clock signal CLK4 may be longerthan the cycle of each of the first clock signal CLK1 and the secondclock signal CLK2. For example, each of the third clock signal CLK3 andthe fourth clock signal CLK4 may have a cycle corresponding to 4horizontal periods (4H).

FIG. 13 is a waveform view illustrating a method of driving the emissiondrivers shown in FIGS. 9 and 11 when the display device is driven in thefirst mode. Referring to FIG. 13, each of the third clock signal CLK3and the fourth clock signal CLK4 may have a cycle corresponding to fourhorizontal periods 4H, and the fourth clock signal CLK4 may be set to asignal shifted from the third clock signal CLK3 by a half cycle (i.e., 2horizontal periods). In other words, the third clock signal CLK3 and thefourth clock signal CLK4 may have longer cycles than the first clocksignal CLK1 and the second clock signal CLK2.

When the display device 10 is driven in the first mode, the third switchcontrol signal MCS3 having a low level may be supplied to the thirdswitch control signal line 515 and the fourth switch control signal MCS4having a high level may be supplied to the fourth switch control signalline 525.

Therefore, all first switches TR1 of the multiplexers 219 a may beturned on and all second switches TR2 thereof may be turned off. Whenthe third switch control signal MCS3 having a low level is supplied, thethird sub-start signal VFLM3 and the fourth sub-start signal VFLM4 maybe sequentially supplied.

Each of the third sub-start signal VFLM3 and the fourth sub-start signalVFLM4 may maintain a low level during the cycle of each of the thirdclock signal CLK3 and the fourth clock signal CLK4 or more. First, thethird sub-start signal VFLM3 may be simultaneously supplied to theemission stages EST11 to EST1 j of the first emission driver 311.

When the third sub-start signal VFLM3 is supplied to the emission stagesEST11 to EST1 j of the first emission driver 311, supply of emissionsignals EO1 output from the odd emission stages EST11, EST13, EST15, . .. may be stopped because the emission signals EO1 are synchronized withthe fourth clock signal CLK4.

The scan drivers 211, 212, and 213 shown in FIG. 9 may have the sameconfigurations as the scan drivers 211, 212, and 213 described shown inFIGS. 5 to 8. Therefore, when the display device 10 is driven in thefirst mode, scan signals may be supplied to the odd first scan linesS11, S13, S15, . . . at the same time, and dummy data may be supplied tothe first pixel area AA1.

After the dummy data is supplied to the first pixel area AA1, the supplyof the emission signals EO1 output from the odd emission stages EST11,EST13, EST15, may be stopped. Therefore, the first pixels PXL1′ locatedin the odd horizontal line may emit light at the same time in responseto the dummy data.

Subsequently, supply of emission signals EE1 output from the evenemission stages EST12, EST14, EST16, . . . may be stopped because theemission signals EE1 are synchronized with the third clock signal CLK3.

When the display device 10 is driven in the first mode, scan signals maybe supplied to the even first scan lines S12, S14, S16, . . . at thesame time, and the dummy data may be supplied to the first pixel areaAA1. Subsequently, the supply of the emission signals EE1 output fromthe even emission stages EST12, EST14, EST16, may be stopped. Therefore,the first pixels PXL1′ located in the even horizontal line may emitlight at the same time in response to the dummy data.

After the third sub-start signal VFLM3 is supplied, the fourth sub-startsignal VFLM4 may be supplied to the emission stages EST31 to EST3 k ofthe third emission driver 313. When the fourth sub-start signal VFLM4 issupplied to the emission stages EST31 to EST3 k of the third emissiondriver 313, supply of emission signals E03 output from the odd emissionstages EST31, EST33, EST35, . . . may be stopped because the emissionsignals E03 are synchronized with the fourth clock signal CLK4.

Because the scan drivers 211, 212, and 213 shown in FIG. 9 have the sameconfigurations as the scan drivers 211, 212, and 213 described abovewith reference to FIGS. 5 to 8, when the display device 10 is driven inthe first mode, scan signals may be supplied to the odd third scan linesS31, S33, S35, . . . at the same time, and the dummy data may besupplied to the third pixel area AA3.

After the dummy data is supplied to the third pixel area AA3, supply ofemission signals E03 output from the odd emission stages EST31, EST33,EST35, may be stopped. Therefore, the third pixels PXL3′ located in theodd horizontal line may emit light at the same time in response to thedummy data.

Subsequently, the supply of the emission signals EE3 output from theeven emission stages EST32, EST34, EST36, . . . may be stopped becausethe emission signals EE3 are synchronized with the clock signal CLK3.When the display device 10 is driven in the first mode, scan signals maybe supplied to the even third scan lines S32, S34, S36, . . . , and thedummy data may be supplied to the third pixel area AA3.

Subsequently, the supply of the emission signals EE3 output from theeven emission stages EST32, EST34, EST36, . . . may be stopped. Thethird pixels PXL3′ located in the even horizontal line may emit light atthe same time in response to the dummy data.

The fourth start signal FLM4, not the third sub-start signal VFLM3, maybe supplied to the last emission stage EST1 j of the first emissiondriver 311. The last emission stage EST1 j of the first emission driver311 may generate and output the emission signal E1 j corresponding tothe fourth start signal FLM4. The 1st emission stage EST21 of the secondemission driver 312 may generate an emission signal in response to theemission signal E1 j output from the last stage circuit EST1 j of thefirst emission driver 311.

The fourth start signal FLM4 may be output after emission signals aresupplied to the third emission lines E31 to E3 k. In other words, thesecond pixels PXL2′ may emit light after the first pixels PXL1′ and thethird pixels PXL3′ emit light. The second emission driver 312 maysequentially supply emission signals to the second emission lines E21 toE2 n.

FIG. 14 is a waveform view illustrating a method of driving the emissiondrivers according to another embodiment when the display device isdriven in the first mode according to some example embodiments of thepresent invention. Referring to FIG. 14, when the display device isdriven in the first mode, the third switch control signal MCS3 having alow level may be supplied to the third switch control signal line 515and the fourth switch control signal MCS4 having a high level may besupplied to the fourth switch control signal line 525.

Therefore, all first switches TR1 of the multiplexers 219 a may beturned on and all second switches TR2 thereof may be turned off. Whenthe third switch control signal MCS3 having the low level is supplied, athird sub-start signal VFLM3′ and a fourth sub-start signal VFLM4′ maynot be supplied. For example, each of the third sub-start signal VFLM3′and the fourth sub-start signal VFLM4′ may have a high level.

When the third sub-start signal VFLM3′ having a high level is suppliedto the emission stages EST11 to EST1 j of the first emission driver 311,an emission signal EO1′ output from each of the odd emission stagesEST11, EST13, EST15, . . . and an emission signal EE1′ output from eachof the even emission stages EST12, EST14, EST16, . . . may each have ahigh level.

In other words, because emission signals continue to be output so thatthe first pixels PXL1′ may be set to a non-emission state, the firstpixels PXL1′ may not emit light although dummy data is supplied to thefirst pixels PXL1′.

In addition, when the fourth sub-start signal VFLM4′ having a high levelis supplied to the emission stages EST31 to EST3 k of the third emissiondriver 313, an emission signal E03′ output from each of the odd emissionstages EST31, EST33, EST35, . . . and an emission signal EE3′ outputfrom each of the even emission stages EST32, EST34, EST36, . . . mayeach have a high level.

In other words, because emission signals continue to be output so thatthe third pixels PXL3′ may be set to a non-emission state, the thirdpixels PXL3′ may not emit light although dummy data is supplied to thethird pixels PXL3′.

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a display device 10″ according to someexample embodiments of the present invention. When the display device10″ according to another embodiment is described with reference to FIG.19, the same reference numerals are given to components which are thesame as those of the display device 10′ shown in FIG. 9, and a detaileddescription thereof will be omitted.

Referring to FIG. 15, the display device 10″ may include the pixelsPXL1′, PXL2′, and PXL3′ and a display driver. The display driver mayinclude first scan drivers 211 and 211′, second scan drivers 212 and212′, third scan drivers 213 and 213′, first emission drivers 311 and311′, second emission drivers 312 and 312′, third emission drivers 313and 313′, the data driver 230, the memory 240 and the timing controller250.

The first scan drivers 211 and 211′, the second scan driver 212 and212′, and the third scan drivers 213 and 213′ of the display device 10″may be located at both sides with the pixels PXL1′, PXL2′, and PXL3′interposed therebetween.

Because the configurations and functions of the last stage circuit EST1j, the second scan drivers 212 and 212′ and the third scan drivers 213and 213′ are the same as the above-described scan drivers, a detaileddescription thereof will be omitted.

In addition, the first emission drivers 311 and 311′, the secondemission drivers 312 and 312′, and the third emission drivers 313 and313′ may be located at both sides with the pixels PXL1′, PXL2′, andPXL3′ of the display device 10″ interposed therebetween.

Because the configurations and functions of the first emission drivers311 and 311′, the second emission drivers 312 and 312′, and the thirdemission drivers 313 and 313′ are the same as the above-describedemission drivers, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

As described above, when the scan drivers and the emission drivers areconnected to both sides of the pixel unit, a signal delay may beavoided. According to some example embodiments of the present invention,when a display device is mounted on a wearable device and drive in afirst mode, a dummy image may be displayed on a non-viewing area, sothat different characteristics between driving transistors located indifferent areas may be prevented. Accordingly, a display device havingimproved display quality may be provided.

Although some example embodiments are described herein, theseembodiments should not be construed to be limiting. Those of ordinaryskill in the art would recognize that various changes in form anddetails may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of thepresent invention. Furthermore, those skilled in the various arts willrecognize that the present invention described herein will suggestsolutions to other tasks and adaptations for other applications. It isthe applicant's intention to cover by the claims herein, all such usesof the present invention, and those changes and modifications whichcould be made to the example embodiments of the present invention hereinchosen for the purpose of disclosure, all without departing from thespirit and scope of the present invention. Thus, the example embodimentsof the present invention should be considered in all respects asillustrative and not restrictive, with the spirit and scope of thepresent invention being indicated by the appended claims, and theirequivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A display device, comprising: a substrateincluding a first pixel area, a second pixel area, and a third pixelarea, and having a first longer side and a shorter side adjacent to thefirst longer side; a pixel unit on the substrate, and including firstpixels in the first pixel area, second pixels in the second pixel area,and third pixels in the third pixel area; a first scan driver includingfirst multiplexers configured to operate in response to a first mode anda second mode different from the first mode, and to supply first scansignals to first scan lines connected to the first pixels; a second scandriver configured to supply second scan signals to second scan linesconnected to the second pixels; and a third scan driver including secondmultiplexers configured to operate in response to the first mode and thesecond mode, and to supply third scan signals to third scan linesconnected to the third pixels, wherein the first pixel area is adjacentto the first longer side and the third pixel area is adjacent to asecond longer side of the substrate opposite the first longer side,wherein the second pixel area is between the first and third pixel areasand a size of a viewing area formed by the first, second, and thirdpixel areas in the first mode is different from the size of the viewingarea in the second mode.
 2. The display device of claim 1, wherein thefirst pixel area is adjacent to a first horizontal line of the secondpixel area and the third pixel area is adjacent to a last horizontalline of the second pixel area.
 3. The display device of claim 1, whereinin the first mode, a pulse width of each of the first scan signals andthe third scan signals is greater than a pulse width of each of thesecond scan signals.
 4. The display device of claim 1, wherein in thefirst mode, during a current frame, each horizontal line of the firstpixel area is configured to display the same image as an image displayedon a first horizontal line of the second pixel area during a previousframe.
 5. The display device of claim 1, wherein the first scan driverfurther comprises first scan stages connected to the first scan lines,respectively, and the first scan stages are to receive output signalsfrom the first multiplexers.
 6. The display device of claim 5, whereinthe third scan driver further comprises third scan stages connected tothe third scan lines, respectively, and the third scan stages are toreceive output signals from the second multiplexers.
 7. The displaydevice of claim 6, wherein each of the first multiplexers includes afirst switch configured to be turned on in the first mode and a secondswitch configured to be turned on in the second mode.
 8. The displaydevice of claim 7, wherein the first scan signals are concurrentlysupplied to first scan lines located in odd horizontal lines in thefirst mode, and the first scan signals are concurrently supplied tofirst scan lines located in even horizontal lines in the first mode. 9.The display device of claim 8, wherein each of the second multiplexersincludes a first switch configured to be turned on in the first mode anda second switch configured to be turned on in the second mode.
 10. Thedisplay device of claim 9, wherein the third scan signals areconcurrently supplied to the scan lines located in the odd horizontallines in the first mode, and third scan signals are concurrentlysupplied to third scan lines located in the even horizontal lines in thefirst mode.
 11. The display device of claim 1, wherein the first scandriver, the second scan driver and the third scan driver are configuredto sequentially output the first scan signals, the second scan signalsand the third scan signals, respectively, during a single frame periodin the second mode.
 12. The display device of claim 1, wherein the firstscan driver, the second scan driver and the third scan driver areconfigured to sequentially output the second scan signals afteroutputting the first scan signals and the third scan signals in thefirst mode.
 13. The display device of claim 12, further comprising adata driver configured to supply data signals to data lines connected tothe first pixels, the second pixels and the third pixels.
 14. Thedisplay device of claim 13, further comprising a memory configured tostore a first dummy data signal corresponding to an image displayed onthe first horizontal line of the second pixel area and a second dummydata signal corresponding to an image displayed on the last horizontalline of the second pixel area during a previous frame in the first mode.15. The display device of claim 14, wherein the data driver isconfigured to supply the first dummy data signal to the first pixels andthe second dummy data signal to the third pixels in the first mode. 16.The display device of claim 10, further comprising: a first emissiondriver including third multiplexers configured to operate in response tothe first mode and the second mode, and to supply first emission signalsto first emission lines connected to the first pixels; a second emissiondriver configured to supply second emission signals to second emissionlines connected to the second pixels; and a third emission driverincluding fourth multiplexers configured to operate in response to thefirst mode and the second mode, and to supply third emission signals tothird emission lines connected to the third pixels.
 17. The displaydevice of claim 1, wherein in the first mode, during the current frame,each horizontal line of the third pixel area is configured to displaythe same image as an image displayed on a last horizontal line of thesecond pixel area during a previous frame.
 18. The display device ofclaim 1, wherein the display device is set to the first mode when thedisplay device is mounted on a wearable device, and otherwise, set tothe second mode.